Many Carriers Lack Log Audit Experience: How to Resolve Public Internet Log Collection Challenges Under Order No.176

With the widespread adoption of public Wi‑Fi, campus broadband and other public internet access services, carriers are facing new cybersecurity compliance requirements while delivering network connectivity. Traditionally, most carriers focus on broadband activation, ONT deployment, network provisioning and fault maintenance, without offering built‑in real‑name authentication and internet log retention. A network that works normally may still leave cybersecurity gaps when user identity verification and log collection cannot be performed.

Order No.176 of the Ministry of Public Security (Measures for Cyberspace Security Supervision and Inspection by Public Security Organs) came into force on October 1, 2026, raising the bar for cybersecurity management of public internet services. For carriers, upgrading existing networks to add real‑name authentication and log retention must balance regulatory obligations, legacy hardware, deployment costs and daily O&M efficiency.

To address this pain point, AINOPOL provides carriers with the Cloud Portal + Cloud Log Audit solution. It integrates with carrier ONTs to add real‑name authentication and log audit capabilities on top of existing infrastructure, delivering a practical path for secure public internet management.

I. Why Carrier Networks Often Have Log Audit Gaps

1. Connectivity does not equal audit capability
   Traditional carrier networks are built around ONTs, whose core functions are broadband access and data forwarding. Many network builds prioritize fast internet access for end users, while the hardware itself does not include full captive portal authentication and internet behaviour logging.

This creates a common dilemma: the service is live and usable, but the operator cannot complete full user authentication, log collection or historical trace queries. When an investigation is required, standalone ONTs cannot fulfil these audit tasks.

1. Capability gap between device provisioning and cybersecurity governance
   Many operation teams previously understood log audit only as device operational logs or simple connection records, with limited experience building dedicated systems for public access scenarios. There was often no standardized workflow covering identity verification, required log fields, secure storage and retrievability.

As regulatory rules grow more granular, responsible parties must clarify their legal obligations. Vendors and service providers need to define security duties based on business roles, contracts and applicable laws; merely “providing internet connectivity” is not sufficient cybersecurity management.

1. Legacy network retrofits cannot rely solely on hardware replacement
   Carriers have deployed massive fleets of ONTs and supporting gear. Full rip‑and‑replace upgrades to add authentication and logging would trigger heavy capital expenditure, plus extra work for installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.

A more pragmatic approach preserves the existing bearer network and adds missing functions via cloud platforms where hardware compatibility and architecture permit. This avoids redundant construction and helps carriers embed security controls into existing service workflows incrementally.

II. AINOPOL Cloud Portal + Cloud Log Audit: Closing Carrier Network Audit Gaps

1. Cloud Portal integrates with ONTs to enable real‑name authentication
   Designed for carrier networks lacking native authentication, AINOPOL Cloud Portal works as a plug‑in for compatible ONTs, overlaying captive portal functions onto the existing service.

Operators can configure authentication workflows matching their use cases, eliminating open access and shared password risks. For campuses and public venues offering visitor Wi‑Fi, this formalizes onboarding and reduces risks from anonymous users and shared accounts.

The solution augments rather than replaces carrier infrastructure. Exact implementation depends on ONT model, interface support, network design and existing carrier business processes.

1. Cloud Log Audit handles retention and traceability of access records
   Real‑name authentication is only the first step. Access logs generated after login must also be collected, stored and managed in line with rules.

AINOPOL Cloud Log Audit is built for carrier public internet scenarios, adding missing audit capacity. Working alongside Cloud Portal and network devices, it binds authenticated identities with session logs to build a traceable audit system.

Administrators can search records by time window using standardized collected fields, removing the burden of manually aggregating fragmented logs across individual ONTs. Retention policies, data scope and storage duration are configured according to applicable regulations, business scale and project requirements.

1. Cloud‑native deployment lowers retrofit barriers for phased legacy upgrades
   For carriers, new security features must be easy to roll out and operate. The Cloud Portal and Cloud Log Audit stack uses a cloud‑centric model paired with existing access hardware. When ONTs support integration, carriers avoid building dedicated on‑premises audit systems for every site.

Carriers can first inventory existing ONT models, access methods and current logging status, then define platform integration, authentication flows, log ingestion and O&M procedures. Phased deployment turns basic connectivity services into fully compliant public internet access with real‑name verification and log retention.

After Order No.176 took effect, public internet builds must focus not only on stable connectivity, but also user data governance, log retention and security defence. For carrier networks missing authentication and audit features, the priority is to identify capability gaps and fill them with efficient upgrades.

AINOPOL Cloud Portal and Cloud Log Audit offer an alternative to wholesale hardware replacement: Cloud Portal delivers identity verification, while Cloud Log Audit manages log storage and retrieval. Integrated with carrier ONTs, they help operators gradually mature their public Wi‑Fi management systems.

The earlier carriers audit legacy networks for authentication and logging readiness, the clearer their roadmap becomes and the less pressure they face from urgent retrofits later. With authenticated access, securely retained records and on‑demand reporting, basic connectivity evolves into properly governed public internet services.

FAQ

Q: Our carrier team has no prior log audit experience. Can we operate this system?
A: Cloud Log Audit transforms log audit from self‑hosted server deployment into a cloud SaaS service. Teams do not need expertise in server setup, storage scaling or backup schemes. Day‑to‑day work focuses on plug‑in management and report export within the cloud console. Multi‑source log ingestion is pre‑integrated with zero custom development; logs are pushed directly from compatible devices to the cloud without separate collectors.

Q: If an ONT has no built‑in logging capability, must we replace it?
A: No. Cloud Portal and Cloud Log Audit connect to existing ONTs as plug‑ins. They do not alter the ONT’s original broadband forwarding behaviour, require hardware swap‑outs or new cabling. The solution adds authentication and logging layers on top of the unchanged access layer.

Q: Logs from many venues are scattered. How can we unify management?
A: Logs from all sites converge naturally on the same cloud platform. After unified time synchronization and field normalization, reports can be filtered and exported by account, location or time period. Operators do not need to log into each site separately to piece together data, nor deploy independent audit systems per venue.